Heat, drought put strain on cotton farmers' profits

Nationwide yields won't be affected

On a field just outside of Petronila, cotton plants of various
stages try desperately to grow with no irrigation, little rainfall and
scorching heat.

Like some farmers, David Mayo zeroed out some of his crop, 318 of
his 500 cotton acres, and put a claim on his crop insurance this
spring. He also was able to grow some cotton early in the season. Like
most farmers, his outlook on the rest of season was optimistic.

A few months later, Mayo is no longer protecting his crop from
insects since some of his crop has dried up. Instead, all he can do is
hope the yield is enough and the quality is better than poor. Mayo is
afraid the additional expense of saving his crop might exceed the
amount he makes when he sells his cotton.

"You have to plant and, if anything grows, you have to make a go of
it," said Mayo, who has been farming in the area for 33 years. "We
might end up harvesting it, but whether that will bring in enough is
the question. The cotton is cutting out and that means that's all it's
going to produce."

Cutting out means to bloom on the top bolls. A cotton plant usually
blooms from the bottom up, with the top bolls blooming last. When a
cotton plant cuts out, it's an indication that the plant has produced
its yield, Mayo said.

Harvey Buehring, Nueces County Texas A&M University Cooperative
Extension agent, said a lack of moisture produces a cotton plant with
small bolls with low quality and low value cotton. He adds that a
farmer's expense to carry a field goes farther than spraying
insecticides.

"We're talking defoliation, harvest machines, custom harvesters,
cost of diesel and hired help," Buehring said. "Few farmers can afford
their own equipment and people are wanting $50 to $70 an acre to come
out to your field. The Catch 22 is that you dump money into it and you
might not get it back."

Jeff Nunley, executive director of the South Texas Cotton and Grain
Association, said 2006 was disastrous for crops and the effect would
not only felt by farmers, but also by related industries that support
agriculture.

"Input suppliers, equipment dealers and the like would normally have
those dollars to put back into the community," Nunley said. "Without
that money, there will be a trickle-down effect to the general area
economy."

The drought that contributed to this year's lack of crops is not
likely to affect the national cotton yield. As important as the
southern beds of the state are to the nation, the hot plains of Texas
have huge yields. That, along with the South's average season, will
help keep the national yield at average levels, said Stephen Slinsky,
senior economist with the National Cotton Council.

"The market expects for the occasional drought or flood areas and
South Texas is no stranger to production difficulties," Slinsky said.
"We do feel for the producers of that region, but production is good
overall."

Mayo will continue to wait until a crop claims adjuster inspects his
fields in a few more weeks, hoping his efforts have not been in vain.
He said he would also look toward the sky and pray for rain. Though it
is too late to make a difference in his crop, it would help prepare for
next season's crop.

"If we don't get a wet fall, we'll have reason to worry for next
season," he said. "September's our wettest month and we'll monitor it.
Of course, last fall had moderate rain with the trouble beginning in
December. Then again, we're farmers and the one thing going for us is
that we're hopeful."